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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/mar/22/uk-solicitor-acquited-forcing-daughter-fgm-female-genital-mutilation
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| UK solicitor cleared of forcing daughter to undergo FGM | UK solicitor cleared of forcing daughter to undergo FGM |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A solicitor has been cleared of using female genital mutilation as a punishment against his daughter. | A solicitor has been cleared of using female genital mutilation as a punishment against his daughter. |
| The defendant, of west African origin, was accused of beating his children and organising for the nine-year-old girl to undergo FGM. | |
| At his trial in the Old Bailey, central London, he denied all the accusations, saying he had never threatened to have her cut. | At his trial in the Old Bailey, central London, he denied all the accusations, saying he had never threatened to have her cut. |
| The 50-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was cleared of two charges of FGM, alternative charges of wounding with intent and child cruelty. | The 50-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was cleared of two charges of FGM, alternative charges of wounding with intent and child cruelty. |
| The case is only the second FGM prosecution brought to court in Britain, both of which resulted in acquittals. The maximum sentence is 14 years in prison. | The case is only the second FGM prosecution brought to court in Britain, both of which resulted in acquittals. The maximum sentence is 14 years in prison. |
| The defendant had been accused of twice arranging for someone to go to the family’s home in south London to cut the child with a razor as she lay on a mat in the hallway. | The defendant had been accused of twice arranging for someone to go to the family’s home in south London to cut the child with a razor as she lay on a mat in the hallway. |
| The girl said she cried in pain and begged for it to stop but her father just encouraged the cutter, jurors were told. | The girl said she cried in pain and begged for it to stop but her father just encouraged the cutter, jurors were told. |
| The child could not recall the identity of the person who allegedly subjected her to the ordeal twice between 2009 and 2013. | The child could not recall the identity of the person who allegedly subjected her to the ordeal twice between 2009 and 2013. |
| The prosecution said it did not happen for cultural or family reasons, but as a punishment. The allegations came to light after the girl told a friend, whose mother contacted Childline. | The prosecution said it did not happen for cultural or family reasons, but as a punishment. The allegations came to light after the girl told a friend, whose mother contacted Childline. |
| Kate Bex QC, defending, suggested FGM was “predominantly perpetrated by female cutters on women” for reasons including “purification, honour and social acceptance”. | Kate Bex QC, defending, suggested FGM was “predominantly perpetrated by female cutters on women” for reasons including “purification, honour and social acceptance”. |
| After the breakdown of the parents’ marriage, the children had been “susceptible to their mother’s influence at the expense of their relationship with their father and have, whether consciously or not, rewritten their history”, she said. | After the breakdown of the parents’ marriage, the children had been “susceptible to their mother’s influence at the expense of their relationship with their father and have, whether consciously or not, rewritten their history”, she said. |
| Giving evidence, the defendant told jurors he loved all his children equally. He added: “I have never used any implement on any of my children. I have never used my hand to hit them.” | Giving evidence, the defendant told jurors he loved all his children equally. He added: “I have never used any implement on any of my children. I have never used my hand to hit them.” |
| The jury deliberated for more than six hours to find the defendant not guilty of all the charges against him. | The jury deliberated for more than six hours to find the defendant not guilty of all the charges against him. |
| Leethen Bartholomew, head of the National FGM Centre, said: “While we respect the decision of the jury, it is important to remember that someone did carry out female genital mutilation on the victim almost a decade ago. | Leethen Bartholomew, head of the National FGM Centre, said: “While we respect the decision of the jury, it is important to remember that someone did carry out female genital mutilation on the victim almost a decade ago. |
| “The effects of FGM have a lifelong impact on survivors, both physically and psychologically, so it is vital support is in place for her for as long as she needs it. | “The effects of FGM have a lifelong impact on survivors, both physically and psychologically, so it is vital support is in place for her for as long as she needs it. |
| “At the National FGM Centre, we work to prevent this hidden form of child abuse and also provide support to girls who have been cut. | “At the National FGM Centre, we work to prevent this hidden form of child abuse and also provide support to girls who have been cut. |
| “Education is key, including working with girls and their families, raising awareness in schools and communities, and training professionals like social workers and teachers to spot girls at risk of FGM and know how to report it.” | “Education is key, including working with girls and their families, raising awareness in schools and communities, and training professionals like social workers and teachers to spot girls at risk of FGM and know how to report it.” |
| Female genital mutilation (FGM) | Female genital mutilation (FGM) |
| Health | Health |
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| Women | Women |
| London | London |
| Young people | Young people |
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